Crown of Thorns

Chapter Ten; No Negotiations

Adrianna walked out of the bedroom in her shared loft apartment, her combat boots clanked on the hardwood floor, catching Zach's attention, causing him to look up from the paper and setting down his cup of B positive blood.

Adrianna's head was held high today, which honestly surprised Zach considering what Klaus put her through the day before. She walked around the counter, pecking Zach on the cheek. "Good morning," she beamed.

Zach looked up at her with curious eyes, "Good morning to you too."

Adrianna made her way to the fridge and opened it, taking a blood bag out. Zach watched as she strategically opened it up, pouring it in a glass.

"How are you?" Zach asked her with a worried expression.

"Vengful, Adrianna answered honnestly, "I want to get back at Klaus."

Zach nodded, "I was thinking about it, and well, who has the supreme power over the city?"

Adrianna looked at him curiously, "The council did, but once Klaus came marching in they have kept low key What are you getting at?"

"Why not have a meeting," Zach suggested, "Me, you, the council, Klaus and his group, you can even add in Henry and Mallory. They are both important figures in the vampire community in Seattle."

"Mallory is back?" Adrianna asked.

"Yes," Zach answered, "Once she heard you were kidnapped, she marched right back in with a rat dog and beefy body guards."

This cause Adrianna to snort in amusement, "Mallory? What the hell happened to her?"

"Henry said that it looks like she was rolled in designer clothes, right out of Paris."

Adrianna smiled, "I'll have to see her. Where's she staying?"

"My guess not with Henry."

"Well let's find them" Adrianna said, "Klaus has the city surrounded. One bad move by us could put us all in danger."

"Then let's meet with council."

••••

"Niklaus, what was the purpose of kidnapping those girls and setting them free like that?" Elijah asked his brother as they both stood on a balcony overlooking the compelled workers.

"Because Elijah, they needed a reality check," Klaus said, "They needed to know they are weak."

"But letting them go like that? It's uncommon of you brother."

"Adrianna is the type of women who would get revenge and attack, I hit a very soft spot of hers," Klaus said, "It's only a matter of time before she come stomping through this door trying to rip my head off."

"Or Hope's," Elijah mumbled, "The more enemies you make, the more Hope inherits. You took her away from her pack, her home in New Orleans for what? A middle class rainy city that is ran by vampires?"

"I'm doing this to protect her," Klaus said, anger rising in his voice, "Hope has two packs now that can protect her. My army can double it's size if I win Seattle."

"An army for what brother?" Elijah exclaimed.

Klaus sighed and looked at his brother, "Before we left New Orleans I was confronted by a witch."